Loserville by Peter Johnson

As I lay there a year later, I knew I had to make sense of this time or end up like some people believe Derek did-- stealing his parents' car one cool, rainy September night, driving to the highest point of the Mount Hop Bridge, stripping and folding his clothes neatly on the pavement, and swan-diving into Narragansett Bay.


I found this book next to Maureen Johnson's books at the library and almost didn't read it because of the crappy title and worse cover. However, after reading the premise, I thought it might be worth a read and, since it was pretty short, decided to give it a shot.

Was it worth it? Not so much.

Loserville is the story of five friends whose lives spiraled out of control in a matter of months. The story is told from the perspective of Lucas and focuses mainly on how his best friend, Derek, ended up  going off the deep end.

Derek was a good kid at the beginning, even if he did dabble in drugs and alcohol. However, his stepmother convinces his father to put the three of them on a reality TV show with an overbearing host whose sole passion in life is to shape up the "loser" boys that end up on his show. The host tends to demonize the boys on his show and none of the friends are looking forward to seeing Derek subjected to such treatment, but there's nothing they can do.

I really didn't like this book. Each of the chapters felt very disconnected from the last and his characters were flat, never changing or growing in depth. You see everyone at a surface level and it stays that way. No resolution is given at the end and there's not even a real climax. Honestly, I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was definitely disappointed.

If you're thinking of picking up this book, don't even bother. The few witty or laughable moments are drowned in a sea of bad work. I felt like I was reading a first draft of a school project the author hadn't really paid enough attention to and wrote the night before. Just put it back on the shelf and grab something more bearable.

Rating: ♥


"How do we escape this mess, Derek?" he asked.
"We don't," Derek said. "Isn't that what this dumb-ass show is about?"

Hold Still by Nina LaCour

"Sometimes inspiration strikes; other times you have to hunt it down."


In her debut novel, Hold Still, Nina LaCour proves herself an immensely artistic and heartfelt author. I was blown away by the depth of emotion in this book and never lost interest for a second. This author is definitely one I'm going to keep an eye out for in the future. I definitely want to make sure I read whatever else she chooses to write.

Writing from the perspective of teenage Caitlin, LaCour tells the story of a girl dealing with heartbreak of the worst kind -- the death of a loved one. The book begins when Caitlin receives the news that her best friend has committed suicide. Blindsided and shattered, Caitlin must learn how to heel and how to move on after losing the person who knew her best, the one she thought she knew so well.

It's an extremely emotional story as LaCour brings you along for the ride, baring Caitlin's meltdowns and heartbreak. We come alongside the teen as she struggles with making new friends though the prospect of maintaining and possibly losing those friendships terrify her.

I chose this book off the library shelves at random because the binding stood out to me and, once again, I'm extremely glad I did. LaCour has an immense talent for writing and imagery. Her description of the way Caitlin struggles and comes to terms with life are spot on and incredibly believable. Prepare yourself for a few intense moments. You may need to keep a tissue box handy during some of these scenes.

Altogether, it's a wonderful book and one I would heartily suggest to anyone who wants a good read, is dealing with a loss of their own, or is even thinking of ending their own life the way Caitlin's friend did. Suicide hurts everyone involved and leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of the people around them. Your life is too precious a gift to give away.

Heartbreak and new love, despair and hope, breaking and restoration: this book is one hell of a journey and one that will surely touch your heart. You don't want to miss it. I'm glad I didn't.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥


Here she is, once again, never saying things just to say them.